12 Foods You Really Should Be Eating

Aiming to make 2010 slightly healthier than 2009? Here’s a few foods to get you on the right track.

1. Goji berries

The red goji beriies contains incredible amounts of antioxidants, that will help you stay fit, strengthen your immune system and keep your body from aging. Goji berries also have a low glycemic index.

2. Quinoa

Quinoa is really a super food. It has a very high protein content and contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a popular choice among vegetarians. It’s high in calcium, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants (if you chose the dark quinoa) and fiber. No wonder the Aztecs called Quinoa “the mother of all foods”.

3. Acai

Acai is a dark berry from South America. Studies have shown both good and bad vitamin values, but luckily that’s not what makes it so amazing. What makes acai a true super food is rather its extremely high content of antioxidants – in fact one of the highest of all foods on this planet.

4. Shellfish

Shellfish is a great source for the omega-3 acids EPA and DHA, that among other things will prevent heart disease. It’s also a great source for protein.

5. Almonds

Almonds contain a lot of protein as well as a lot of good monounsaturated fat that will help you lower you LDL cholesterol. Almonds increase your metabolism, and studies have shown that adding a handful of almonds a day to your diet actually will help you lose weight, even though your total calorie intake will go up.

6. Walnuts

A great source for omega-3. Even if it’s not the same kind of omega-3 that you can find in fish (it’s a kind of omega-3 called ALA, instead of EPA and DHA), you will still gain great health benefits from it.

7. Salmon

Another good source for omega-3, as well as protein.

8. Dark chocolate

Thought chocolate was bad for you? Well, it is. If you eat too much, that is. However, if you can restrain yourself and avoid over-eating, dark chocolate is a great source for antioxidants.

9. Garlic

Garlci is one of the oldest known medicinal plants. It’s very good for fighting colds, as well as heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. It’s truly nature’s own antibiotic.

10. Green tea

Green tea is a very good source for flavonoids, a type of antioxidants. However, don’t drink it with milk, as the milk will stop your body from metabolizing its flavonoids properly.

11. Blueberries

Blueberries have a very high content of antioxidants (anthocyanins). They also help preventing Alzheimer’s and brain damages. Consumption of blueberries help to lower cholesterol as well as total blood lipid levels. Their low glycemic index will help you keep your weight as well as your energy levels on top.

12. Cinnamon

An averagely high consumption of cinnamon will provide you with loads of manganese, iron, calcium and vitamins C and K. It also contains insane amounts of antioxidants – even far more than acai. It will also help you boost cognitive function and memory.

About Robert Salazar

Healthification.net is a blog dedicated to helping people achieve a healthy lifestyle in a modern world full of processed foods and tight schedules. It is written by me, Per, a vegetarian, runner and general health freak. As Im not a nutritionist or gym instructor, consult a physician before starting a new diet or exercise program.